MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — Citizens interested in publicly addressing the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors must now be escorted by security personnel.
Starting March 13, members of the public must follow new rules implemented in response to a skirmish that occurred after a recent board meeting on Feb. 28.
County officials claim at the end of the last board meeting, a group of 15 attendees "forced their way" to the front of the dais and refused to leave before they were confronted by security. No arrests were made, according to the county.
A video recording of the Feb. 28 meeting ends after the adjournment and does not capture the alleged incident described by the county.
“What happened on February 28 was unacceptable and unfortunately part of a pattern of disruptive and disorderly behavior we’ve seen over the last several months," said board Chairman Jack Sellers.
The security changes adopted by Maricopa County include the following:
- People participating in public comment will be directed to one side of the auditorium when their time comes to speak, then escorted by security personnel to the lectern. After their speaking time is up, they will be escorted back to their seat.
- The first few rows of seating in the auditorium will be reserved for county staff and board guests. Most county staff will be asked to watch or participate in meetings remotely.
- Security will place stanchions in front of the public seating area. Access to the lectern will only be available from the corridor on the right side of the auditorium.
County officials are considering adopting other security measures.
The board, which consists of four Republicans and one Democrat, has been the target of criticism and scrutiny since the 2020 election when Joe Biden narrowly beat Donald Trump in Arizona.
A Phoenix man was recently convicted of sending a threatening email to one of the county supervisors in 2022.
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